Arda Güler and Robert Lewandowski, with an assist and a goal in the victories of Türkiye and Poland against Romania (1-0) and Albania (2-1), respectively, have been the highlight of the semifinals of the European playoff for the 2026 World Cup where Italy, Sweden, Denmark and Kosovo The finals for next Tuesday have also advanced, where the eight qualifiers will play for a place at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The rhythm imposed in the game and a measured assist from Arda Guler which culminated with Ferdi Kadioglu’s goal, gave Turkey the victory against Romania (1-0) that places it one step away from the final phase of the 2026 World Cup, with the last obstacle being Kosovo, winner in its duel against Slovakia (3-4).
Kosovo recovered from two adverse scoresreacted in Bratislava and beat Slovakia 3-4 at home to reach the final of the European play-off for the 2026 World Cup, in which they will face Turkey next Tuesday, also as a visitor, again against the odds, one step away from a historic feat.
And Robert Lewandowski’s header who jumped more than anyone else on a ball in the air for 1-1and a great goal from outside the area by Piotr Zielinskicame to Poland’s rescue in the second half to keep it alive on the last occasion to reach the 2026 World Cup, whose final will be away against Sweden.
Its main leader is Suecia
Sweden woke Ukraine from sleep to compete in the World Cup with the United States, Mexico and Canada, a great showcase for the situation they have experienced since the invasion of Russia, and in the semi-finals of the play-offs they won in the Ukrainian exile in Valencia with a triplet of Arsenal player Viktor Gyökeres which will allow it to compete with Poland for a last ticket to this summer’s event.
The Swedish team, which had not won a game in the qualifying phase and had only been able to add two draws, ceded the initiative and territorial dominance to Ukraine but had the accurate pupil of Mikel Arteta, for which this summer the Gunners paid almost seventy million and which demonstrated once again his scoring instinct.
Italy maintains the World Cup dream
Italy dreams of being in the World Cup, with returning to the most important tournament on the planet, the one that has not disputed since 2014, after the victory that was achieved this Thursday against Northern Ireland (2-0) in the semi-final of the play-off, thanks to the so many from Tonali and Kean in the second half they released all the pressure accumulated in recent days.
Italy’s challenge was more mental than footballing despite the problems that the ‘Azzurra’ still present in their way of playing, too much gripped by recent failures, with too much pressure for a possible new elimination that would leave them without the World Cup for the third consecutive edition. But He passed the first exam. It came out reinforcedmore in terms of trust than tactics.
Denmark eliminated North Macedonia in ten minutes at the start of the second half to sign a resounding 4-0 victory which will allow them to play for a place in the World Cup in five days against the Czech Republic or Ireland.
The match It was not so easy for Brian Riemer’s team, who aspires to play his third World Cup in a row. He was not comfortable in the first half, but the inspiration of Damsgaard and Isaksen It was enough to overcome a rival who, after conceding a goal, dissolved like a sugar cube.
Finally, Bosnia and Czechia reached the finals after overcome Wales and Ireland in their respective penalty shoot-outs after reaching the end of extra time with two ties, 1-1 in the match played in Cardiff, and 2-2 in the match that took place at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.
European play-off finals
Poland – Sweden
Türkiye-Kosovo
Italy – Bosnia
Denmark – Czechia
